Author: Geek Planet

In the latest “every surface becomes shoppable” news, more platforms are inking deals and rolling out shoppable ad formats across the open web. As more media environments become points of purchase, attribution and measurement remain the thorn in the side of commerce execs. In early December, Pinterest announced a partnership with Walmart that allows Pinterest users to add recipe ingredients straight to their cart on Walmart.com to be picked up or delivered. Around the same time, Albertsons Media Collective, the grocery chain’s retail media network, rolled out similar offsite-to-cart tools. Its new “add-it” technology allows users to add products, recipes,…

Google’s Gemini market share is climbing quickly, and a new web-traffic snapshot suggests the fight for generative AI is starting to look less like a one-horse race. Analytics platform Similarweb says Gemini’s share of generative AI web traffic rose from 5.4% to 18.2% over the last 12 months. In the same window, ChatGPT’s share dropped from 87.2% to 68.0%, a 19-point slide. The story’s read is straightforward: early dominance is giving way to a market where people are spreading their usage, and the biggest platforms are starting to pull behavior in their direction. Gemini’s edge is being everywhere Gemini has…

Samsung is reportedly eyeing a late February launch for its next set of flagship phones in the Galaxy S26 series. So far, leaks have painted a rather modest picture of the upgrade situation for these upcoming phones. Now, a recent spotting on a certification database has seemingly confirmed rather disappointing news for the mid-tier Galaxy S26 Plus. The key takeaway  A Samsung smartphone carrying the SM-947B model identifier was recently spotted on the SGS database. Though the documents don’t show any pictures of the device or any other technical aspect, they confirm the battery capacity. And it’s not good news. …

Marketers who’ve sat through recent pitches say the difference is clear. The VIP packages, sold both directly to advertisers and through agencies, are built around spend thresholds. The more an advertiser commits, the more they unlock – credits, price discounts and access to higher tiers of creators. The specifics of those incentives and tiers, however, remain under wraps.  What stands out though is who YouTube is aiming these deals at. The pitch is landing squarely on TV advertisers – buyers used to making larger commitments in exchange for better access, sharper pricing and a more predictable schedule. Appropriately enough, YouTube…

The California-based consumer electronics accessories maker Belkin has revealed a slew of charging solutions at the CES 2026, targeting a broad consumer base. The lineup includes a Qi2-compatible wireless power bank, a 27,000 mAh power bank for your laptop, and a charging case for the new Nintendo Switch 2, among other products. First up, there’s the $99.99 Charging Case Pro for the Nintendo Switch 2, which features a 10,000 mAh battery (roughly twice the console’s built-in battery) that supports 30W charging. The case is available in three colors: Charcoal (my favorite), Green, and Sand. Qi2 wireless chargers, 27,000 mAh laptop…

OpenAI is still exploring “ChatGPT ads,” even after earlier signs it had cooled on the idea to keep improving response quality. The Information reports the company is considering sponsored content that could be prioritized so it shows up inside ChatGPT answers. That matters for one simple reason: if paid placements are surfaced in the same space as advice, it can shape what you click and buy. It also doesn’t mean ads are definitely coming. Companies test features constantly, and this is about concepts and mockups, not a launch. OpenAI also acknowledged the direction in a statement to The Information, saying…

Expect more AI-powered recommendations and personalization from Lowe’s next year as the home improvement retailer continues to hone its e-commerce strategy. Mylow, a shopping assistant powered by ChatGPT that launched in March, is already driving double the conversion rate for online shoppers compared to those who don’t use it. But looking ahead, Joe Cano, Lowe’s svp of digital commerce, said the company envisions doing more with AI-powered visualization to help people figure out what to buy — for example, what products they need to create a midcentury modern dream kitchen, or what furniture and fixtures would complete their country cottage office. “You’re going…

In January, Nick Pugh will take on a new role at Ebiquity, one that quietly reflects how unsettled the business of marketing has become.He will become the media management firm’s chief marketing effectiveness officer, assuming a global remit after several years as U.K. managing director and later overseeing Ebiquity’s EMEA markets. His latest move pulls him away from general management and back toward a discipline that, until recently, sat at the edges of marketing organizations. Now, it’s moving closer to the center.   In practical terms, Pugh’s job is about tapping into that shift. His focus will be on helping advertisers…

Today, the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets hosted its first hearing, entitled “Exploring Bipartisan Legislative Frameworks for Digital Assets,” at which certain members of the subcommittee and crypto industry witnesses predominantly discussed stablecoin regulation. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a long-time proponent of the Bitcoin and digital asset industry, presided over the hearing with assistance from ranking member of the subcommittee, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). The witnesses included Tim Massad, former CFTC Chair and Research Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; Jai Massari, Chief Legal Officer at Lightspark; Jonathan Jachym, Global Head of Policy and Government…

The most telling point (so far) of Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, HBO and streaming businesses came from the company itself. In pushing back on claims that the deal would be anti-competitive, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters pointed to YouTube as a bona fide rival that it would still trail with Warner Bros stack — a point that would’ve sounded far-fetched not that long ago.That framing reflects a broader shift in how competition in video is actually playing out. The fight is no longer just about who owns the biggest library or who can stack the most subscribers. It’s also…